METHODOLOGY &
DATA TRANSPARENCY

HOW WE QUANTIFY THE ABSURD

BACK

The Absurdity Index quantifies the absurdity of modern existence through rigorous data collection and transparent methodology. All data sources, calculations, and sampling methods are documented below.

Core Principles

Objectivity

Data is collected from official sources (BLS, Census, BTS) and public platforms without cherry-picking. All sampling is systematic and documented.

Transparency

Every data source is cited. All formulas are public. Sample sizes and collection methods are disclosed. Limitations and data gaps are acknowledged.

Reproducibility

All data collection scripts are available. Anyone can verify the results by following the same methodology.

Statistical Rigor

Sample sizes meet research standards (minimum 100-200 per category). Multiple platforms are sampled to avoid single-source bias.

Data Sources by Metric

AI Psychosis

YOUTUBE: 135 videos analyzed

REDDIT: 289 posts from r/replika + r/CharacterAI

TIKTOK: 88 videos via YouTube compilations

GOOGLE TRENDS: Search volume for AI companion terms

CATEGORIZATION: Level 3 (Crisis), Level 2 (Dependent), Level 1 (Casual)

Subscription Overload

YOUTUBE: 160 videos analyzed

REDDIT: 12 posts from subscription-related subreddits

TIKTOK: 58 videos via YouTube compilations

CONSUMER REPORTS: Average 12 subscriptions per household

INDUSTRY REPORTS: 73% raised prices in 2025

Dating App Despair

YOUTUBE: 131 videos analyzed

REDDIT: 139 posts from r/dating, r/Tinder, r/Bumble, r/HingeApp

TIKTOK: 83 videos via YouTube compilations

GOOGLE TRENDS: Baseline sentiment tracking

CATEGORIZATION: Level 3 (Quit/Crisis), Level 2 (Frustrated/Exhausted), Level 1 (Mild Complaints)

What Healthcare?

YOUTUBE: 170 videos analyzed

REDDIT: 134 posts from r/HealthInsurance, r/Insurance, r/povertyfinance

TIKTOK: 88 videos via YouTube compilations

KFF DATA: Premium increases, claim denial rates, coverage gaps

CENSUS: Medical debt statistics, bankruptcy data

CATEGORIZATION: Level 3 (Medical debt/denied life-saving care), Level 2 (Can't afford treatment/high premiums), Level 1 (Billing confusion/delays)

Other Metrics

WAGE STAGNATION: YouTube (88), Reddit (78), TikTok (82) + BLS Employment Cost Index, AFL-CIO CEO Pay Database

HOUSING DESPAIR: YouTube (137), Reddit (185), TikTok (91) + Redfin, Zillow Rent Index, Census Bureau

AIRLINE CHAOS: YouTube (98), Reddit (132), TikTok (83) + Bureau of Transportation Statistics, ACSI scores

LAYOFF WATCH: YouTube (74), Reddit (282), TikTok (74) + Layoffs.fyi tracking

Sample Size Standards

METRICYOUTUBEREDDITTIKTOKTOTAL
AI PSYCHOSIS13528988512
LAYOFF WATCH7428274430
HOUSING DESPAIR13718591413
HEALTHCARE17013488392
DATING APP DESPAIR13113983353
AIRLINE CHAOS9813283313
WAGE STAGNATION887882248
SUBSCRIPTION OVERLOAD1601258230
TOTAL9931,2516472,891

Bias Mitigation

Data is collected from multiple platforms to avoid platform-specific bias. Top and hot posts are sampled systematically (not cherry-picked). Keyword-based categorization reduces subjective judgment.

Government and industry data provides the foundation. Incomplete metrics are clearly labeled with completion percentages.

Update Schedule

Weekly

Google Trends, social media sentiment, layoff tracking

Monthly

Housing prices, airline stats, subscription trends

Quarterly

Wage data, CEO pay ratios, ACSI scores

CURRENT BASELINE: JANUARY 2026 | AUTOMATED WEEKLY UPDATES ENABLED

Limitations & Ethics

This dashboard quantifies cultural sentiment and economic trends, not clinical diagnoses or policy recommendations.

Platform demographics skew young and online. Reddit and TikTok users don't represent the general population. People experiencing crisis are more likely to post about it, creating self-selection bias.

Some metrics are preliminary and require more research. Scores are relative indicators, not absolute measures. All data is collected from public sources only.

LAST UPDATED: JANUARY 10, 2026 | VERSION 1.2

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